This work is a comprehensive textbook on the theory of composition, divided into two parts. The first part includes an introduction to the task of musical composition theory, explains the elements of musical writing (motif, small phrase, large phrase), and discusses various forms such as variation, rondo, or sonata. Krehl supports his explanations with numerous musical examples and illustrates the process of creating a composition in an easily understandable way for the interested layperson. About the author: Stephan Krehl (1864 to 1924) was a music theorist and composer. He studied music in Leipzig and Dresden, was a teacher of piano and music theory at the conservatory in Karlsruhe, and authored several books on music theory. As a composer, he created around 30 works for piano, violin, and clarinet.